PORTOROZ, August 11, 2018
Andrea Arnaboldi and Constant Lestienne will compete in Saturday’s singles final of the Zavarovalnica Sava Slovenia Open in Portorož . Arnaboldi battled past No. 3 seeded Spaniard Adrián Menéndez-Maceiras 7-6(4), 7-5.
The eighth favourite from Italy broke serve three times and outpointed his opponent 106-99 to prevail after three hours and two minutes.
“This is my first Challenger final in my career. I made it into to 18 semi-finals, but I never managed to get to the title match,” Arnaboldi was happy afterwards. The World No. 203 clinched seven ITF Pro Circuit titles in his career, his last triumph took place in 2013.
“If I win in Portorož this will be my biggest success. Otherwise, three years ago I passed through the qualifications to the main draw at Roland Garros, where I won my first round match and lost in the second against Marin Čilić.
“It’s really nice in Portorož, but this year’s conditions are extremely difficult, as it is very hot and humid.”
Lestienne beats Köpfer
In the following semi-final, Constant Lestienne defeaeted Dominik Köpfer from Germany 6-3, 6-2. The unseeded Frenchman struck five aces, winning 61 per cent of his first service points to secure victory in one hour and 23 minutes.
Lestienne is seeking his second title on the ATP Challenger Tour following his win in Ostrava two years ago. The 26-yaer-old Paris resident and Arnabolid will meet for the first time.
Granollers/Rosol take doubles crown
The doubles finalists in Portoroz (photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida)
Earlier in the day, Gerard Granollers of Spain and Lukas Rosol from the Czech Republic captured the doubles title of the €64,000 ATP Challenger hard-court event.
The duo edged past Nikola Cacic of Serbia and Austria’s Lucas Miedler 7-5, 6-3 in the doubles final. The encounter lasted one hour and 12 minutes.
“Last year I lost against Hans Podlipnik, this year I came to Portorož to do better,” Rosol said. “Thanks to my friend Gerard, as well as an exceptional tournament and friends who accompany me at the Slovenian coast.”
